Genes, not genitalia, key to gender


Genetics, not just anatomy or hormones, strongly influence gender, according to research that raises questions about sex-assignment surgeries for babies born with both male and female traits.

"The biology of gender is far more complicated than XX or XY chromosomes, and may rely more on the brain's very early development than we ever imagined," genetics and sexual medicine expert Dr Eric Vilain, said in a prepared statement.